It’s well known that Fiat's production plants in Italy have been functioning well below their intended capacity for years, as is the local automakers’ frequent use of state-backed programs to temporarily lay off some of its workers.

The most rugged member of Fiat’s city car family, the Panda Cross, will arrive in showrooms across Europe in September, which is why the Italian carmaker has released a new photo gallery and detailed information about the four-wheel drive mini car.

Fiat has announced two “Young” special edition models for the Panda and Punto in Italy. Targeting the younger audience, the two models feature distinctive features both inside and out, such as the standard “My Stream Radio Clarion” which allows users to stay connected to their favorite music and smartphones.

Fiat has blown the wraps off two new off-road-styled models at the Geneva Motor Show, the Panda Cross and Freemont Cross. Both feature a similar styling treatment consisting of silver and black accents, matte wheels and tinted windows, among others.

Last we remember, when Fiat announced the new Panda 4x4 Antarctica edition at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, it didn’t come with any kind of special decals. Apparently, the UK edition does in the form of two prominent front door stickers depicting a…penguin waving one of its flippers.

Fiat’s performance division Abarth has only touched the 500, 500C and Punto models so far, turning them into more powerful and faster versions. Things are about to change, though, as Abarth is looking to expand its range by offering a performance version of the Fiat 500L small MPV.

When you lack new models, just build a special edition or two. That seems to be the motto for many carmakers and Fiat makes no exception. The Italian company will present two such models at the Frankfurt Motor Show: the Panda 4x4 Antarctica and the 500 GQ Edition, plus the top-of-the-line trim level for the Fiat Freemont dubbed 'Black Code'.

Fiat’s plan to develop its entire range around the 500 and Panda nameplates includes the development of a crossover called the Panda XL, which will be based on the same platform as the future small Jeep SUV and the Fiat 500X. According to a report from Auto Bild, this means the Panda XL will also have a 4x4 option.

Just like the Fiat 500L MPV, the Panda XL won’t have much in common with the Panda city car except the name. However, the crossover is expected to borrow some design cues from the boxy small car.

The bulk of Fiat brand’s sales has been made up in recent years by just two models, the Panda and its posh sibling, the 500 – both based on the same architecture.

To emulate the success of these models in the upper segments, Fiat is said to be planning to model its entire range around the two city cars, according to a Car magazinereport. The first result of this strategy is the 500L minivan, which borrows styling cues from the iconic 500, but plays in the league of B-segment MPVs.

Earlier this month, CarScoop reader Tommaso A. shared with us a handful of pictures and a video of a monster truck version of the latest Fiat Panda 4x4 that he spotted in Italy. At the time, we had no information regarding the build, but Fiat has now shed some light to the project.

As it turns out, the monster Panda prototype was created by Fiat itself in collaboration with Mercurio Cinematografica, set designer Andrea Faini and the Fabio Gementi Workshop, for an upcoming television spot that will air in Europe in the beginning of 2013.

After China, the Fiat Group is eyeing another major emerging market to launch its Jeep brand, that of India. The Italian carmaker's Indian arm, Fiat Group Automobiles India Private Limited (FGAIPL), announced on Thursday that the Jeep brand will be introduced in the country towards the end of 2013.

We haven't had the opportunity to drive the new 2013 Fiat Panda 4x4, yet – we have, however, tried out the previous generation model and it was surprisingly capable off the road, but something tells us that this here custom project discovered by CarScoop reader Tommaso in Italy, is way, way better.

"Yesterday I saw this Fiat. I don't know what is it, but I like it so much!" Tomasso told us. "It's a Panda with really big wheels. It's strange because it seems a brand new one! Have you ever seen something like this? Do you know something about?"

Until Fiat's Abarth division performs its magic on the latest generation of the Panda, those looking for a sportier flavored version of the Italian city car will just have to do with whatever the independent tuning industry has to offer them.

In the case of German tuning brand Novitec, there are plenty of goods out on the table to improve both the styling and to some degree, the performance aspects of the Panda.

With Europe's economies currently in the doldrums, Fiat's move to expand its Panda range with two affordable crossover-like models in the A-segment, the Panda 4x4 and Panda Trekking, couldn't have come at a better time for the struggling automaker as many consumers are changing their preferences to smaller, cheaper and more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Fiat describes the new Panda 4x4 as the "only genuine 'pocket' 4x4 car" in the European market and a "Jack of all trades" capable of tackling "mountain mule tracks and the urban jungle" with the same ease.

The Panda 4x4 rides on a jacked up suspension that offers a higher ground clearance over the regular 2WD model, while rolling on 15-inch wheels wrapped in 175/65 R15 84T M+S tires developed specifically for this model.

It gets permanent all-wheel drive that is managed through a "Torque on demand" system with two differentials and electronically controlled coupling, while also featuring an ESC (Electronic Stability Control) system with ELD (Electronic Locking Differential) function as standard.

The big news for Fiat at the 2012 Mondial de l'Automobile was the world premiere of three new additions to the Panda range, namely the 4x4, Trekking and Natural Power models.

And they weren't along as the cars were joined at the presentation by Miss Italia 2012, 19-year old Giusy Buscemi from Sicily. In case you wondering why, Fiat happens to be one of the official sponsors of the Miss Italia pageant with the latest generation of the Panda being the official car of the event.

Billed as the only four-wheel drive car in the A-segment, the Panda 4x4 is the latest generation of a model series that spans back almost 30 years.

Based on the regular five-door Panda tall hatchback, the 4x4 is 3,680mm long, 1,670mm wide and 1,600mm tall. It rides on a 2,300mm wheelbase and has a front track of 1,410mm and a rear track of 1,400mm.

Given that, not all professionals need a van as capacious as a Ducato or a Ford Transit to do their work, ever since the first generation of the Panda, Fiat has offered a van variant of its city car model.

After the release of the regular versions of the new Panda in Europe earlier this year, Fiat Professional has introduced a van model of the Italian city car, which is offered in two flavors, with or without the rear seat bench.